Police Complaints Authority

Lord Clark of Windermere: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When will they announce new appointments to the Police Complaints Authority.

Lord Rooker: My right honourable friend the Minister of State,
	Mr Denham, has appointed five new full-time members to the Police Complaints Authority. Their appointments will be for three years. The five new members are:
	
		
			 Name Start Date Previous Position 
			 Jennifer Rogers 3 September 2001 Mental Health Act Commissioner, Mental Health Review Tribunal, ICIS (Independent Consultants in Health and Social Services) Associate 
			 Nicola Williams 3 September 2001 Barrister 
			 Elaine Rassaby (part time) 3 September 2001 Mental Health Act Commissioner, OFSTED Complaints Adjudicator, Member of Criminal Injuries Compensation Panel 
			 Sally Hawkins (part time) 3 September 2001 Freelance writer and broadcaster, council ombudsman, Director of Banking Codes Standards Board, Non Executive Director of University College Hospital Lewisham, Justice of the Police 
			 Ann Barker 3 December 2001 Historian, Member of the Parole Board, Justice of the Peace

Limited Liability Partnerships

Baroness Miller of Hendon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why a limited partnership whose registered office is in England must declare that it is in "England and Wales", whereas limited partnerships whose registered office is in Wales or Scotland merely have to declare that they are in Wales or Scotland respectively.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: A limited partnership (formed under the Limited Partnerships Act 1907) is a partnership and is not required by statute to have a registered office. A limited liability partnership (LLP) (formed under the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000) is a body corporate and is required by statute to have a registered office. As part of the incorporation process, a limited liability partnership must declare that it has a registered office in either England and Wales, Wales or Scotland. This requirement reflects that imposed upon companies by the Companies Act 1985.
	Historically, a company should choose to incorporate either in England and Wales or in Scotland. The Welsh Language Act 1993 enabled a company to submit its documentation in Welsh alone if it declared that its registered office was to be in Wales. The practical significance of this is that a company registered in Wales cannot move its registered office to England. A company with its registered office in England and Wales may move its registered office to any location in England or Wales but not to Scotland. The requirements for an LLP simply follow this.

Opposition Parties: Costing of Policies

Lord Newby: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why completed costings of policies of opposition parties are filed on the Cabinet Office's Panagon system under folders relating to special advisers.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Panagon, an electronic document management system for filing corporate information electronically, is not used by the Cabinet Office, though it is by the Treasury. The Treasury, in common with other government departments, files paper and electronic documents in a variety of places.
	The arrangements whereby departments make costings of Opposition policies are of long standing and are conducted in accordance with the guidelines set out by the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 11 December 2000 (House of Commons Official Report, cols 45-46W).

Northern Ireland: Illegal Sale of Diesel and Petrol

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much of their revenue is lost annually by the illegal selling of diesel and petrol in Northern Ireland; and how many people have been charged during the last 12 months in connection with such trade.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Customs has no estimate of the specific revenue loss from the illegal sale of diesel and petrol in Northern Ireland. In September 2000 Customs increased fourfold the resources devoted to tackling oils fraud in Northern Ireland. In the year to end September 2001 Customs charged one individual in connection with the illegal selling of diesel and petrol. During 2000-01 Customs, through its enhanced enforcement efforts doubled the volume of illicit fuel seized; tripled the number of vehicles seized; and increased fivefold the number of laundering plants broken up.

Foot and Mouth: Assistance to the Countryside

Earl Russell: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What allocations have been made from the Social Fund Contingency Reserve to meet costs arising from the epidemic of foot and mouth disease.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Treasury does not maintain a Social Fund Contingency Reserve. However, in addition to aid in excess of £1 billion paid to farmers affected by the outbreak so far, the Government have put in place several measures to help the countryside recover from foot and mouth disease including deferral of tax, VAT and national insurance contributions, which has helped over 20,000 businesses; establishment of a £50 million Business Recovery Fund; establishment of a rate relief scheme covering affected areas; and establishment of a matched funding scheme for charitable donations.
	The Government have also made additional lending available through the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme.

Snaefell Mountain: Suspected Light Aircraft Crash

Lord Hill-Norton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their response to the allegation that on 14 January 2001 an unidentified object struck the communications mast at the summit of Snaefell Mountain on the Isle of Man.

Lord Bach: In the early hours of 14 January, and in daylight on 15 January 2001, a military search and rescue helicopter from RAF Valley conducted a comprehensive search of the area around Snaefell Mountain following a report of a suspected light aircraft crash. However, nothing was found as a result of the search.

Northern Ireland: UFO Crash Report

Lord Hill-Norton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What search operation took place following reports of the crash of an unidentified object in Northern Ireland on 13 February 2001.

Lord Bach: Following reports of smoke being seen on Benaughlin Mountain, near Kinawley, on the afternoon of 13 February 2001, police and troops conducted a search of the area, assisted by a helicopter, but nothing was found. A further search was carried out the following morning but nothing was found to indicate either a downed aircraft or a fire and the incident was closed.

Sonic Boom Report, North East of England

Lord Hill-Norton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their response to the incident on 21 February 2001 when a sonic boom was reported in the north east of England.

Lord Bach: Following a report of an incident on 21 February 2001 from a member of the public, the RAF Police undertook an investigation. In the course of their inquiries the British Geographical Society was contacted and confirmed that its equipment gave no indication of either a sonic event or an earthquake occurring in the north east of England on that date. The RAF Police were unable to verify the cause of this reported event.

Rendlesham Forest Incident

Lord Hill-Norton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the United States Air Force investigated and photographed a site in Rendlesham Forest where it was alleged that an unidentified flying object had landed in December 1980; whether the photographs depicted an indentation where the object might have landed; and whether they have a copy of the report and photographs arising from the investigation; and
	Whether, following an allegation contained in a memorandum dated 13 January 1981 by Lieutenant Colonel Halt of the United States Air Forces that a glowing metallic triangular object had landed in Rendlesham Forest in December 1980, Lieutenant Colonel Halt was questioned about the incident; if not, why not; and whether military radar indicated that a structured craft was involved.

Lord Bach: The only USAF material held by the Ministry of Defence is that written by Lieutenant Colonel Halt on 13 January 1981 consequent upon his investigation of the incident in Rendlesham Forest. The MoD has no evidence of any other official investigation or documentation.
	There is no indication from the papers held on file that MoD raised any further questions with Lieutenant Colonel Halt following receipt of his memorandum in 1981 and I am unaware of the reason for this. MoD records from the same period document no evidence of unusual radar returns.

Bow Street Police Station Site

Viscount Simon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On what date planning permission was granted to develop the site of the former Bow Street Police Station.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: I understand that a planning application to redevelop the former Bow Street Police Station was submitted to Westminster City Council in April this year. As it is currently in the process of considering the proposal for conversion of the existing building for use as a Police Museum and erection of a five-storey building for retail and office uses, no decision on it has yet been taken.

Arson Control Forum

Lord Howie of Troon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What effect on the work of the Arson Control Forum will arise as a result of the recent transfer of responsibility for the fire authorities to the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Government are fully committed to tackling arson effectively as part of its Safer Communities programme. They have invested £1 million in the current financial year in locally based arson control programmes and have set specific targets for a reduction in the incidence of arson. The machinery of government changes mean that the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions will now be responsible for the fire service delivery agreement to reduce the number of deliberate fires by 30 per cent by 31 March 2009. The department will also be responsible for bidding for resources for arson control in future public spending reviews.
	The machinery of government changes will bring together responsibilities in the same department for fire safety and the fire service, housing, urban regeneration, neighbourhood renewal, planning and health and safety, all of which contribute to the drive against arson in its many forms. The forum is a partnership of the various agencies involved in arson control both within and outside the department. This partnership remains in place.

Fire Safety

Lord Howie of Troon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of the 1st Report of the House of Commons Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Select Committee published on 14 December 1999 regarding the potential risk of fire spread in buildings via external cladding systems.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Government gave a detailed response to the 1st Report of the House of Commons Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Select Committee which was published in the committee's 2nd Special Report dated 29 March 2000 [HC 389].
	In respect of the recommendation in paragraph 19 of the Select Committee's report, the review of the guidance document, BR 135, is under way. Due to the expansion of the scope of that document it is now envisaged that the revised guide should be available around the end of this year.
	In respect of the recommendation in paragraph 20 BRE Fire Note 9 was offered to the British Standards Institute (BSI) in March 1999 in order for them to consider converting the test method to a full British standard. The draft standard was published for public consultation on 10 April this year and the consultation period has now closed. The BSI committee is due to meet to discuss the comments received on 25 October.
	In respect of the recommendation in paragraph 22 officials wrote on 12 April 2000 to the Local Government Association, the Association of London Government and the Housing Corporation asking them to draw the attention of local authorities and registered social landlords to the fourth recommendation of the Select Committee and to the subsequent government response.
	In respect of the recommendation in paragraph 24 the Government remain committed to the reform of fire safety legislation and intend to undertake a public consultation next year on detailed proposals with a view to implementation by means of an order under the Regulatory Reform Act 2001. The aim of the reform would be to simplify, rationalise and consolidate existing legislation, which is currently spread across over 100 different statutes. It would provide for a risk based approach to fire safety allowing more efficient, effective enforcement by the fire service.

Millennium Dome Site

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the New Millennium Experience Company Limited, English Partnerships, the Millennium Commission or a government department is accountable for achieving value for money on the sale of the Millennium Dome site; and if more than one body is accountable, how responsibility and accountability will be shared.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: English Partnerships, which manages the Dome sale process and owns the site, and the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions as the sponsoring department for English Partnership, are both fully accountable for achieving value for money throughout the sale process.

Underground Rail Transport: Fare Comparisons

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish statistics to enable consumers to make an accurate comparison of fares on metropolitan underground rail transport services in the United Kingdom with equivalent services elsewhere in Europe.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Transport for London (TfL) publishes a fares index for London Underground in the annual publication Transport Statistics for London. In addition, TfL has published some international fare comparisons in Public Transport in London: Market report 2000. Both publications are now in the Library.
	The Glasgow Underground is the responsibility of the Scottish Executive.

Concessionary Bus Fares for Young People

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the basis of their calculation that the extension of concessionary bus fares to young people up to the age of 19 years in full-time education will cost £180 million per annum.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The estimated cost of extending concessionary bus travel to young adults up to age 19 in full-time education was based on the number of journeys this group of people would be likely to make. The revenue foregone by bus operators would in turn need to be reimbursed to local authorites by central government.

Planning System Reform

Lord Campbell of Croy: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will publish a Green Paper on reform of the planning system in England and Wales.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: We intend to publish the Green Paper by the end of the year.

Aviation Security

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will encourage the introduction of an international standard in passenger aircraft requiring pilots and other aircrew to be totally isolated from passenger cabins by secure bulkheads and lockable bullet-proof doors.[HL
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Following the terrible events in the USA last month, the Government have arranged for an early review of aviation security in its widest sense. This will consider among other things how best to combat the method of operation used by the hijackers.
	Steps are also being taken at international level. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State has met EU Transport Ministers, who have agreed that the security measures should be tightened for all member states and have ordered an urgent review of aviation security measures. The UK has also participated in meetings of the European Civil Aviation Conference and International Civil Aviation Organisation reviewing security measures.

Aviation Security

Lord Janner of Braunstone: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What provisions are being made to increase cockpit security in passenger jets.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Following the terrorist attack in the USA last month, a wide-ranging review of aviation security is being carried out. This is considering among other things how best to combat the method of operation used by the hijackers. It is too early to say when the review will be completed and what recommendations will be made. However, the Civil Aviation Authority has already introduced new operational requirements, including locking the flight deck door, and these are designed to address safety and security matters and may be modified when the review is completed.

Aviation Security

Lord Janner of Braunstone: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What items of cutlery and glass are now considered dangerous for in-flight use.[HL
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: As part of the response to the terrorist attacks in the USA last month, airlines operating from the UK have been required not to use metal cutlery on all flights to and from the UK. In addition, the list of items not allowed to be taken on board an aircraft has been extended to cover household cutlery as well as any other article which could be used or adapted to cause injury or incapacitation.

Aviation Security

Lord Janner of Braunstone: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will ensure that locks on Boeing aircraft cockpit doors are customised to individual aircraft rather than remaining universal as is currently the case.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The locks on aircraft doors are being considered in conjunction with other measures to deny unauthorised access to the flight deck.

Aviation Security

Lord Janner of Braunstone: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will ban the use of long-stemmed wine glasses on all flights

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Any article which an aircraft operator considers might be used or adapted for causing injury to or incapacitation of a person may not be taken into an aircraft cabin.

Salisbury/Yeovil Railway Line

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	By what date they expect that the railway line between Salisbury and Yeovil will be of twin tracks throughout its length.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: There are no current plans to upgrade this line to double track throughout its entire length.

Local Authorities: Promotion of Well-being

Lord Young of Dartington: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will issue the necessary financial regulations to allow local authorities to make charges for the "promotion of well being" under Part 1 of the Local Government Act 2000.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: In the Green Paper Modernising Local Government Finance (September 2000) we stated that we intended to make regulations to enable authorities to charge for discretionary services, including those to promote the well-being of the areas. The forthcoming Local Government White Paper will set out how this will be taken forward.

Road Deaths

Lord Dormand of Easington: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the number of deaths on the roads in the United Kingdom for each of the 10 years 1991 to 2000.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The figures requested, for deaths on the roads in the United Kingdom are as shown below:
	1991: 4,753
	1992: 4,379
	1993: 3,957
	1994: 3,807
	1995: 3,765
	1996: 3,740
	1997: 3,743
	1998: 3,581
	1999: 3,564
	2000: 3,580

Strategic Rail Authority Contracts

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will list, in respect of each consultancy contract valued at over £50,000 let by the Strategic Rail Authority, the name of the company, the scope of work, the value of the contract and its timetable.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Since the inception of the SRA on 1 February 2001, 19 contracts with a value over £50,000 have been let as shown below. The timetable information has been excluded where it is considered commercially sensitive.
	
		
			 Consultant Project Contract value £000s Timetable (completion date) 
			 AEA Technology South London Metro program manager £81 Ongoing 
			 Arup Consulting Appraisal methodology for Rail Freight £86 May 2003 
			 Arup Consulting Impact of planned and proposed rail infrastructure work study £70 August 2001 
			 Arup Transport Planning Review of sensitive lorry miles study £60 September 2001 
			 Babtie East London line project extension £1,238 Commercially sensitive 
			 Booz Allen & Hamilton 1st Great Western Rolling stock study >£50K Commercially sensitive 
			 Booz Allen & Hamilton Hire of interim resources for freight team £84 January 2002 
			 Booz Allen & Hamilton National Rail scenario Analysis £80 Commercially sensitive 
			 Booz Allen & Hamilton West Coast Route Modernisation £525 Commercially sensitive 
			 C J Associates 6 tracking at Paddington study £59 April 2001 
			 Engineering Link 1st Great Western franchise extension (economic and financial evaluation) £50 Commercially sensitive 
			 First Class Partnerships Franchise replacement and remapping £140 Commercially sensitive 
			 ITS Leeds Impact of changes in on-rail competition study £75 Commercially sensitive 
			 Sinclair Knight Merz Rail Freight Corridor demand study £95 Commercially sensitive 
		
	
	All contract values are exclusive of VAT.

Night Flying

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they intend to take in respect of restricting night flights to airports following the decision of the European Court of Human Rights on 2 October that the Government had failed to strike a fair balance between the economic benefit of night flights and the rights of individuals to a good night's sleep.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: We will study the judgment carefully before deciding what action may be necessary. The judgment cannot become final for at least three months. There will be no immediate changes to the present situation.

London Underground Signalling

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What improvements have been made to the signals and signalling equipment of London Underground since the private finance initiative was first discussed.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: London Underground Limited has undertaken £84 million of signalling improvements since the Government announced plans for the modernisation of the Tube on 20 March 1998. A further £27 million of improvements are being undertaken this financial year.
	The Government's Tube modernisation plans will deliver a massive increase in the level of investment across the Underground. Examples of signalling improvements to be delivered in the first period of the contracts include new signals on the Northern Line to get the full benefit from the new trains; replacement of the Victoria Line signals as part of a complete modernisation package; an upgrade of the Jubilee Line signalling; a new signalling control centre on the Piccadilly Line; improved signal reliability on the Bakerloo Line; and greater signal capacity for the Waterloo and City Line. In addition, all the signalling on the Circle, District, Metropolitan and District Lines will be renewed in the next 10 years.

English Partnerships

Lord Clark of Windermere: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they propose to review the future of English Partnerships.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: We are today announcing a review to be undertaken by this department as to the future of English Partnerships. We have decided to bring forward the quinquennial review due in 2003 to ensure that the future of English Partnerships is given greater clarity and focus. The terms of reference for the whole review are set out below.
	During the review we will be seeking the views of a wide range of interested organisations. We expect to complete the first stage of the review examining the role of English Partnerships by the end of this year. Subject to confirmation of its continued existence, we aim to complete the review of the structure and skills of the organisation by Easter to ensure that English Partnerships can deliver its new role. We will publish the findings of the first stage of the review in the new year.
	The terms of reference for the review are as follows:
	"To review the role of English Partnerships in delivering the Government's policies; to consider the future ownership of CNT assets and liabilities, and recommend such changes as might be necessary in the light of the review. To consider English Partnerships' structure and processes to ensure effective and efficient delivery of its remit".

English Heritage

Lord Dubs: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will undertake a review of English Heritage.

Baroness Blackstone: As part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's programme of quinquennial reviews of its public bodies, I am today announcing that we will shortly start a review of English Heritage.
	The review will include an evaluation of the role and functions of English Heritage and how those functions can best be carried out and a review of the efficiency and effectiveness of the way in which it delivers services to its users. The review will include a public consultation exercise. A copy of the consultation paper can be found on DCM's website, www.culture.gov.uk. under "heritage, libraries and museums"; "historic environment".
	The Government estimate that the review will be completed by next summer. A copy of the announcement has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they invited the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to prepare a draft bill of rights or to offer advice; and whether they will accept advice from any group or individual on the topic.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: In accordance with the Good Friday Agreement, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland invited the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to "consult and advise on the scope for defining, in Westminster legislation, rights supplementary to those in the European Convention on Human Rights, to reflect the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland, drawing as appropriate on international instruments and experience".
	The commission published a consultation document on 4 September this year. The consultation period runs until 1 December. The Government are open to receiving views from any group or individual on the subject but would encourage comments to be directed, in the first instance, to the commission to help inform its final recommendations to the Government.